122 122

◎King Yong slapped Qin Liang twice.◎

After the general tactics for the campaign against the Donghu were decided, Emperor Xingwu assigned a special task to his daughter, asking her to go to the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Army to select 3,000 personal soldiers. These 3,000 men would be completely under the command of the little princess, with protecting her safety as their primary task.

The battlefield was volatile. Da Qi was preparing to secretly attack Donghu with a surprise attack. However, when Donghu heard that the imperial court was going to mobilize 400,000 troops to fight them, they might retreat deep into the grassland to avoid the battle, or they might take the initiative to gather 300,000 cavalry and march south. Therefore, Emperor Xingwu had to give his daughter an army of her own to prepare for any emergency.

Qingyang went to select people calmly, and had already made a list of more than 300 people on the way.

The tactics of the surprise attack were secret, and only the important ministers who were summoned by Emperor Xingwu to the imperial study for discussions knew about it. What spread among the imperial army and the four major camps in the capital was only the overt news that Emperor Xingwu was going to send a large army to conquer the Donghu.

Only the North and South camps of the Beijing camp went on this expedition. Most of the officers and soldiers of the East and West camps were probably glad that they did not have to take risks on the battlefield. Some generals, either with a passion to serve their country or seeing this battle as a good opportunity to make merit, came to Emperor Xingwu and volunteered. Among them were the sons of nobles in Beijing, such as Deng Kun, Deng Tai, Fu Kui, Zhang Su, Fan Huaizhong, Xue Yanzheng, Meng Changhe, and even the sixteen-year-old Fan Huaian came, insisting on going to the battlefield to kill the enemy.

Emperor Xingwu stood at the door of the imperial study, looking at these young men full of vigor and vitality, feeling very pleased. He picked a few and agreed to let them stay with his daughter when she set out. When they arrived at the border, his daughter would arrange specific military positions for them according to the needs of the battlefield.

Deng Kun, Fu Kui, Zhang Su, Fan Huaizhong and others who were selected were happy to accept the order, but Deng Tai, Xue Yanzheng and Fan Huaian who were not selected were not happy. It was obvious that the emperor wanted to leave a son in Beijing for each family, and they all said that they were not afraid of death.

Emperor Xingwu glanced at Deng Tai a few more times and said with a stern face, "Don't worry, I have to think about my old brothers. Don't worry, I will select a group of people to go for training this time. The next time there is a war, the ones who stayed will be replaced. As long as you have the ability, you will have no shortage of opportunities to make achievements and gain fame."

Deng Tai: "But I..."

Emperor Xingwu: "Get lost! Even if your father were alive, he would have to obey me. How can I control you?"

Deng Kun took his brother away.

On the way, Deng Tai was still unconvinced. Deng Kun sighed, "The emperor is afraid that something bad will happen to both of us. He's already feeling bad since my father left. Just be honest for once."

The emperor is different from his father and Prince Yong. He is usually very polite when speaking to his subjects and will not curse anyone even when he is angry. Only those subjects who are truly regarded as family by the emperor can hear the emperor's occasional vulgar words. So when the emperor asked the second brother to get out, it was actually because he liked him and not because he meant to embarrass him.

Deng Tai certainly understood this. His father, Prince Yong, and Prince Jing Qin Bing had all been scolded by the emperor in this way. He was furious that he couldn't go to the battlefield. "Why did he have to keep one of us? Why not you? It was you the emperor brought with him to the campaign against the Western Hu that year. I'm already thirty-one, and for all these years, I've never done anything serious except wander around the various military camps to gain experience. I'm so frustrated!"

Deng Kun: “…”

If I have to hold one, I'd better hold my younger brother!

.

King Yong and Qin Liang and his son are all in the North Camp. When the time comes, Qin Liang can just follow the North Camp soldiers and set off without having to specifically ask for battle.

Her husband insisted on taking the risk, and Deng couldn't control him, nor was she that worried about him. However, she only had one son, Qin Liang, and the thought of the jackal-like Donghu cavalry made Deng afraid. As soon as the father and son returned, she closed the door and complained quietly: "What does the emperor mean? Other families have left a son in the capital, but he knows that we only have Liang'er, so why doesn't he take care of him?"

Prince Yong glared at her and said, "You know nothing, General. What kind of general is it if you stay at home all day? I want Liang'er to go to the battlefield and make meritorious deeds. Only then can he gain a foothold among the many military generals in the capital. If Liang'er is as cowardly as you are, I will be the first to disown this cowardly son!"

After saying this, King Yong looked at his son intently.

Qin Liang persuaded his mother, "Mom, I want to go, and I will definitely come back safely, so don't worry."

Both the father and the son disliked her, and Deng left in anger.

King Yong was very satisfied. Such a son was like his offspring, like the offspring of their Qin family, the nephew from the eldest brother's side, and the second nephew was okay!

The father and son worked together, and by the end of April, the 40,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry of the North Camp were ready, and they would set out for Jizhou together with the South Camp the next day.

On the eve of the army's departure, Emperor Xingwu summoned the little princess, Prince Jing, and high-ranking military officers accompanying the army to the imperial study and gave them encouragement as usual.

After the encouragement, Emperor Xingwu invited his two children, younger brother and nephew to have dinner with him.

After the meal, Emperor Xingwu looked at the four people in front of him one by one with a reluctant look, and finally took a few more glances at Qin Liang, then said to Prince Yong: "After much thought, I think it is better to let Qin Liang stay in the capital. You are on the battlefield. Seeing Qin Liang is like seeing you. I can feel less worried. Otherwise, I am afraid I will not be able to sleep well at night."

Prince Yong had sensed it as early as when his eldest brother left Deng Tai and others behind. Once Deng Chong left, his eldest brother had really grown old and no longer had the ruthlessness he had in the past when he called on his brothers to fight on the battlefield. He was afraid of this and that.

Before Prince Yong could refuse on his son's behalf, Qin Liang knelt down himself and spoke in a resounding voice, "I understand your uncle's earnest wishes. However, as a member of the royal family, and with your support, I have studied and practiced martial arts in the palace since I was young. I have acquired these skills in order to serve the court and repay your kindness. Therefore, I implore your uncle to allow me to join the army and realize my ambitions!"

Emperor Xingwu grasped his nephew's arms, pulled him up, and said, "I'm not sending you, not only because you're your father's only child, but also because in your generation, you and Bing'er are the only two great generals in our Qin family. I don't dare send both of you to the battlefield at once. What if... Anyway, this time, only one of you or Bing'er can go."

Qin Bing immediately held Qin Liang's shoulder and said, "Don't worry, cousin. With Uncle Wang and I here, we will definitely make the Donghu flee in terror. Just stay home and wait for our victory!"

Qin Liang: "..."

He looked at his father, hoping that he would help him fight for it. After all, he was his nephew and it would be difficult for him to disobey his uncle's arrangements.

Prince Yong felt that although his eldest brother's words were a bit unlucky, they made sense. Who could guarantee that they would return alive after going to the battlefield? As the head of the family, his eldest brother considered everything. The Qin family must leave a great general in the capital.

"Okay, just listen to the emperor. The capital also has its own tasks. If we complete them well, we can still help the emperor relieve his worries." Prince Yong held his son's other shoulder.

Qin Liang: "..."

Emperor Xingwu waved his hand, indicating that the four people could leave.

Qingyang exchanged glances with his father before turning around.

Her father had not told her in advance about the sudden decision to leave Qin Liang behind, so Qingyang had no idea for the time being, but she believed that her father had other intentions in doing so.

.

Prince Yong's Mansion.

As soon as the father and son came back, Qin Liang insisted on persuading his father to go to his father's study and ordered people to keep a distance and not allow anyone to approach.

Prince Yong looked at his son in confusion. "What? Your uncle has already made his decision. Even if you beg me, I can't do anything about it."

Qin Liang felt a headache and sat down next to his father. He lowered his voice and said, "Father, it's okay if I don't go, but when you lead your troops to attack the Donghu, you can neither lose nor win. It's best to pretend to be lost and return empty-handed."

Prince Yong frowned and looked at his son with an unfriendly look: "Why?"

At this point, Qin Liang had no choice but to clarify things with his father: "Father, do you think Qin Hong can be a good emperor after my uncle passes away?"

Prince Yong blinked his eyes. Although he was his biological son, he subconsciously resisted discussing this matter with his son because he felt a little sorry for his elder brother.

Qin Liang: "Even without your father saying it, I can guess what you're thinking. You think I'm more suitable. So, father, guess, when your uncle was alive, was it possible that he would have deposed Qin Hong and made me the crown prince?"

This is what King Yong hoped for, but he did not hold out much hope. No matter how useless his three nephews were, they were still his eldest brother's biological sons. Which father would abandon his biological sons and instead hand over the family business to his nephews?

Qin Liang: "Uncle won't do that. Then father, think about it again. If I want to sit on that seat, is it easier to snatch it from uncle, from Qin Hong, or from Qin Ren?"

Prince Yong slapped his son in the face and said, "How dare you murder your uncle? I'll kill you first!"

The slap he gave her was not very heavy, but his eyes were filled with a cruelty that could kill a child.

Qin Liang understood that his father meant that he could not murder his uncle, but he could plot against Qin Hong and Qin Ren.

Qin Liang laughed at himself, "Father, you think too highly of me. Not to mention that you respect my uncle, even if you were to plot against him, I would stop you because we are no match for him. Moreover, he conquered the world, and I admire him. I wouldn't dare disrespect him. I covet that position because Qin Hong and his men are incompetent and will only ruin the legacy he worked so hard to build. It would be better for me to take over and protect the throne for him."

Prince Yong clenched his fists and asked, "What does this have to do with the Donghu?"

Qin Liang: "Father, answer me first. Which is easier, to seize the throne from Qin Hong or from Qin Ren?"

Prince Yong scoffed, "Hong'er is the crown prince. If your uncle leaves, Hong'er will take over. What does it have to do with the third brother?"

Qin Liang: "Father really didn't see it at all. Qin Hong is frail and sickly, and my uncle has already been thinking about deposing him. First, he published a book to promote Qingyang, and then sent her to the border to supervise the army. This is all to build momentum for Qin Ren. As long as this surprise attack on the Donghu is successful and Qingyang wins military merit, Qin Ren will have such a talented sister to assist him in the administration. Then my uncle will be able to depose Qin Hong and enthrone Qin Ren. Then, if you and I plan to seize the throne, will we be able to escape Qingyang's eyes?"

From the day when Qingyang first wore an official robe and entered the court to attend government affairs, Qin Liang never looked down on his sister again.

King Yong thought of his eldest nephew's cowardly appearance. Although his third nephew was lazy, at least he dared to speak in front of his eldest brother and the ministers. Although his youngest niece was a girl, her aura of commanding the country was exactly the same as that of her eldest brother.

But no matter how powerful my niece is, she is still a woman and will get married. Once a woman gets married, she will lean towards her husband's family. The Zhang family holds military power...

No, I can't let my eldest brother make Qin Ren the heir. It's better for my eldest nephew to succeed to the throne. With that kind of temper of his nephew, he can scare him into giving up the throne to Liang Er on his own initiative.

Thinking of this, Prince Yong said, "You are right. If your uncle really wants to make Qin Ren the successor, I will be the first to oppose it!"

Qin Liang: "...There's no need for my father to object. As long as we can defeat Qingyang this time, my uncle will have no reason to depose Qin Hong."

Prince Yong said: "That won't do. The Donghu are about to jump on our faces. The court has sent so much food and so many war horses. Returning empty-handed would not only damage your father's reputation and waste our Qin family's food and war horses, but would also embolden the Donghu. Therefore, this battle must be won with honor."

Deng Chong won the battle against the Pyu Kingdom, but he lost the battle against the Donghu. How could he go to drink with Deng Chong after his death? Deliberately not fighting well is even more inhumane!

With a loud slap, Prince Yong slapped his son again with even greater force: "Hong'er and the others are useless. I won't stop you if you want the throne, but if you dare to help foreign enemies harm our family, I will disown you, this prodigal son!"

It doesn’t matter how your own sons and nephews fight. When the enemy comes, let them deal with the enemy first!

Qin Liang tilted his head and didn't turn around for a long time.

It was not until his father's footsteps disappeared outside the door that Qin Liang looked out the window with a sullen face.

My father is unreasonable, and Deng Kun...

No, Deng Kun is not that cunning. Like his father, he hates foreign enemies even more, and there is no time left.

So, did the uncle figure out something and deliberately kept him in Beijing tonight?

【Author’s words】

Here they come, 100 little red envelopes, see you for the second update around 11pm!